in psychoanalytic theory, the pleasure derived from oral activities such as smoking, drinking, chewing, biting, talking, kissing, and orogenital activity. Also called oral erotism; oral gratification. See also orality.
a system of managing an organization in which employees participate in important decisions. An example would be the use of autonomous work groups in which employees determine their work procedures and assignments and are responsible for evaluating and rewarding performance. See also participative decision making; quality circle; Scanlon plan.